@tat: I think the thing that is holding me back is my ram. I can tighten the ram up but as far as ocing, it won't budge... But, I really don't quite know... I have to format and redo my specs since I'm going Raid, so I'll see what happens then... Have a passport to back up everything that is needed... So just the bench marks and thats it will be on the raid at first...

I tried a couple of times, but I get errors that the BIOS file can't be read, I'm using NTFS for DOS off of my DFI Util CD from DFI Forums...but it seems to lockup or freeze halfway into anything, even just doing a dir /w command it'll get to the very end and stop, cursor blinking..but not to the drive letter for a next command...I have no floppy, one DVD/CD drive, I may try with to make my 512mb USB flash drive a bootable one...so far no dice, I had to do somet gaming and other stuff for a little bit!

But I haven't given up, I will get that flash and it will be successful!

I really need to sell this chip and grab one of yours! [SONG=}I'm in love with your Chip. I love how it volts how it runs, how it rates. I am in love with your chip! [/SONG]

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and the price is good aswell how about this when you get the cash together and are ready you pay me what I payed and it's yours. I payed 650 and 20.00 shipping and you can trade me your cpu and take off the fair price of it making up the difference. Whatever you think is fair.

Custom/Modded Bios Flash successful...I not only modified the extra voltage from 1.12 to 1.18, but I also modified the fan profile so minimum fan speed is 80%, perfect for me...I haven't messed with when it ramps up (from what I was reading in NiBitor's description, the fan ramps to 100% at about 105C...YIKES!...I should be okay at 80% ). I just set the TMin Duty Cycle from 40% to 80% and it works like a charm!

Some verifacation pictures for ya!

I will start overclocking shortly...it's getting late so tonight my time is limited...the FTW clocks should be more than sufficient for gaming/folding, as the vanilla clocks were fine for me...but what the hell? Free clocks that requires nothing more than a small bump in speed? Might as well right?

Well from what I'm reading on the 280's, their extra voltage is already at the max of 1.18v...but that's not to say maybe you'll have different options in those areas, or maybe yours is also at 1.12v...I'm not even sure it does anything yet..but it seems the 260's and 280's OC very close to eachother, even with more power and component to OC the 280 clocks seem to get right up there. I can only hope this'll give me a little more leeway on you 280 folks and let me at least getcha in clocks! I doubt I'll ever catch ya in scores or FPS, but it's all good!

Well I tried a few quick OC runs in 3DM06...so far I have gained nothing in OC stability from 1.12v/OE BIOS. The FTW clocks are fine, but pushing beyond 765/1535 with stability seems more daunting...wonder if I did something wrong? I'm going to backup the bios I flashed to the card and scan it...see what's going on.

I did hit 800/1600, but it wouldn't last in ATI Tool for 1 second, and made it 30 seconds into the first 3DM06 test before lockup. Kinda bummed about that, but still happy with the card...I haven't given up yet either...and I'm sure more proof of this modded 260 bios for more voltage and OC will shed light for extra potential to many. But it's late so I'm calling it quits tonight, more to come!

I feel I can say the increased voltage is there, I am noticed 2-4C higher temps under load even at FTW clocks...but maybe my GPU just can't go any further, oh well! I think I'll do a flash w/OE 1.12v, leave the FTW clocks, and the 80% fan and call it good for now...come back to it later.

Well I tried a few quick OC runs in 3DM06...so far I have gained nothing in OC stability from 1.12v/OE BIOS. The FTW clocks are fine, but pushing beyond 765/1535 with stability seems more daunting...wonder if I did something wrong? I'm going to backup the bios I flashed to the card and scan it...see what's going on.

I did hit 800/1600, but it wouldn't last in ATI Tool for 1 second, and made it 30 seconds into the first 3DM06 test before lockup. Kinda bummed about that, but still happy with the card...I haven't given up yet either...and I'm sure more proof of this modded 260 bios for more voltage and OC will shed light for extra potential to many. But it's late so I'm calling it quits tonight, more to come!

I feel I can say the increased voltage is there, I am noticed 2-4C higher temps under load even at FTW clocks...but maybe my GPU just can't go any further, oh well! I think I'll do a flash w/OE 1.12v, leave the FTW clocks, and the 80% fan and call it good for now...come back to it later.

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TBH, dont take ATI tool as a benchmark for stability with the more recent NVidia cards, I found with my GTS that ATI tool started artifacting above 780mhz but through EVGA Precision tool (Recommended to everybody!) I overclocked to 840mhz and ran 5 loops of 2006 without a single problem so try the Precision tool

Sadly, it looks like I will be postponing my 280 purchase for a while, I have just seen a very nice 24 inch monitor that I am going to buy during my lunchbreak so prolly September now for the 280.....thing is, the money is not a problem.....the wife is!